Sure you can have shins in a gown, as long as you don't have any mesh! When I did the Hi-Style gown (which is floor length) I put phantom shins in it, and ran the JCMs that do the actual work off them. I was sort of suprized when it worked, but it did (and does). I haven't noticed the directional JP, but I haven't tried any interlinking like you mention. I am a little afraid of doing this because, as you already mentioned in another thread (or maybe it was this one, I'm loosing it!) that messes up using existing Poses. I would really hate to not be able to use the two sets of Digiport Poses that were done with SMV, as the Poses are soooooo good!